Skin disinfection

Skin disinfection is a process that involves the application of a disinfectant to reduce levels of microorganisms on the skin.^[1] Disinfecting the skin of the patient and the hands of the healthcare providers are an important part of surgery.^[1]

Skin disinfection may be accomplished with a number of solutions including providone-iodine, chlorhexidine, alcohol based solutions, and cetrimide.^[2] There is strong evidence that chlorhexidine and denatured alcohol use to clean skin prior to surgery is better than any other commercially available antiseptic, such as povidone-iodine with alcohol.^[3][4]

Its importance in health care was determined by Semmelweis in the 1840s.^[5]